Culliver, a third-year cornerback, found controversy again Thursday with an Instagram post featuring derogatory comments about women on a text-message screenshot.

The since-deleted image — women were referred to as "bitch" and "hoes" — follows his homophobic comments prior to the Super Bowl. Culliver later apologized for those remarks — he opposed having a gay teammate — and has made efforts this offseason to educate himself on the gay, lesbian and transgender community.

San Francisco 49ers' Chris Culliver (29) talks to the media during a press conference at the New Orleans Marriott in New Orleans, La. on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013. (Nhat V. Meyer/Staff)

Culliver, 24, played last season as the 49ers' No. 3 cornerback, and a poor showing in the Super Bowl loss to Baltimore overshadowed his interception in the NFC Championship win at Atlanta.

Halfway through his four-year contract, Culliver has a $555,000 salary this season.

The 49ers have all five of last season's cornerbacks under contract: starters Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, and reserves Perrish Cox, Tramaine Brock and Culliver.

Former Raiders and Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha recently signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal to compete for what conceivably is Culliver's role.